Magnetic compass



Patented Oct. 24, 1939 MAGNETIC COMPASS Maximilian Klein and Bernhard Wiliach, Sellers- I ville, P

a., asslgnors to United States Gauge Company, Sellersville, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application my 4, 1937, Serial No. 140,711 11 Claims. (on. 33-222) The present invention relates to improvements in magnetic compasses, and, more particularly, to

- improved mounting and compensating means for magnetic compasses designed for use on automobiles, small boats or other vehicles.

Since many vehicle operators have no knowledge of the manner in which magnetic compasses operate, or how to mount and compensate a compass to overcome local magnetic conditions, it is desirable to make a compass of the character referred to that is'easy to connect to e vshicle, and that is simple for a novice to adjust for obtaining an accurate reading.

. It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to provide an extremely simple universal connection'between a compass and its supporting bracket to permit a compass to be mounted in a plane parallel to the line oi travel of the ve= hicle and level it after it is installed on the vehicle.

Another important object of the present invention resides in providing a magnetic compass with simple readily accessible compensating means capable of being operated by an inexperienced person.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic compass adapted to be rotatably adjustably supportedwith respect to a lubbers mark so as to permit commnsation of the compass to obtain accurate readings on a selected heading of the compass.

Further objects will appear from the following description when read in connection with the appended claims and the attached drawing wherein:

Figure '1 is a iront elevational view ot a magnetic compass embodying the novel ieaturm of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view at the compass illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top planview oi the compass oi Figures 1 and '2; and

-.bowl portion 82 of glass or like transparent material, a hollow housing section it oi composition material, such as Bakelite, and an intermediate ring it of a similar material adapted to inter- -of bowl it, when connect bowl l2 and housing IS. The connection between housing It and ring it may take any desired form such as a press fit, threaded connection, or rivets l5. as shown in the drawing.

A suitable magnetic compensating mechanism It, comprising compensating magnets ll of any suitable construction carried by a headed bolt it, threaded into a sleeve i9, is disposed in hollow housing it. The operation 'of compensating mechanism it is clearly pointed out-in our co pending application Serial Number 38,814 filed on August 31, 1935. Since this magnetic compensating mechanism operates in known manner, a more detailed description thereof will not be attempted in this application.

Ring it is provided with an internal annular shoulder 20 against which annular rim 2| of a diaphragm 22. carrying a centrally disposed depending needle shaped pivot 23, abuts. Rivets i5 preferably extend through rim 2i and thus secure diaphragm 22 to housing it. A cork or similar gasket 2 is disposed on the opposite face of rim 2i and is adapted to engage the edge to bowl I? is threadedly secured to rim it by screw threads 26. As a consequence. diaphragm 22 separates chamber 21 of housing it and chamber 28 formed by bowl E2. The gasket it forms a liquid tight seal for chamber 28.

Bowl i2 is filled with a suitable body of liquid such as kerosene, glycerine or like substance, and is provided with a buoyant float 29 having suitable compass indicia 3! on its periphery. The

center of float 29 is recessed'as at as to receive pivot 23 and is provided with a permanent or compass magnet (not shown) designed to cause rotation of float 29 around pivot 23 under the influence of the earth's magnetic fields. Due to the use-of a body of liquid, float 29 is dampened with the novel mounting and compensating mechanism of the present invention, which will now be described. To this end a bracket 35, having apertures 36 therein designed to receive suitable screws is provided for securing the bracket to a supporting structure. Bracket 35 has a protruding arm 3? terminating in a ball shaped member 38. Member 33 is received between a pair of spaced flat, bent metal arms 39 formed as integrally with a split band 40 and shaped to provide a socket 4|, in which member 38 is disposed to permit universal movement of arms 39 and band 40 with respect to bracket 35. Arms 39 are secured together at theirupper and lower ends by machine screws 42 and 43 respectively. When screws 42 are loose arms 39 and band 40 'are capable of universal movement around ball 38. However, upon tightening screw 42 arms 39 and band 40 are locked against movement around ball 38. As a consequence band 40 may,

be disposed in any desired relation with respect to bracket 35 for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out.

Band 40 is designed to receive compass ID in Band 40, accordingly, protrudes from the peripheral surface of ring [4 and retains compass l0 against axial movement with respect to band 40.

As seen in Figure 2, the screw 43 at the lower end of arms 39 is in substantial alignment with the vertical center of band 40. Accordingly, when screw 43 is tightened, band 40 is radially'contracted and tightly grips ring l4 and locks compass l0 against rotation in band 40.

A suitable lubbers mark, preferably in the form of a depending arrow head 45, is suitably located on band 40. Preferably it is formed as an integral part thereof. The mark extends below ring i4 and overlies the'po'rtion of glass bowl l2 through which the compass indicia are viewed, thus affording a suitable reference point from which the compass may be read. The lubbers mark is located on a plane, passing'through the geometrical center of ball 33 and-vertically through the lubbers mark, so that the plane mentioned may be readily located parallel to the line. of travel of the vehicle when mounted in place on. a suitable part of the vehicle body.

The compass of the present invention is mount-v ed and adjusted in the following manner: Compass in is disposed in band 43 and screw 43 is tightened only sufllciently to retain compass II! in band 40, while permitting bodily rotation of the compass ID with respect to said band. Bracket 35 is then, preferably, mounted on a suitable transverse element of the vehiclebody. such as the header above the windshield, by means of self-tapping screws or the like. It is, ofcourse,

clear however that bracket 33 may be secured in any suitable place by anydesired means due to the novel universal connection between band 40 and bracket 35. I

After bracket 35 is suitably secured in place, screw 42 is loosened and the compass and band 40 are revolved around ball 33 until the compass is substantially-level in all directions and so that the plane through the center of ball 33 and the-lubbers mark is parallel tothe normal line of travel of the vehicle. Screw 42 is then tightened and the compass and band 43 are thus locked in place.

Since the vertical plane passing through the lubbers mark and'the center of wall 33 is normal to the transversely extending portion of bracket 35, when the bracket is connected to a transverse body member, it is likewise parallel to the line of travel of the vehicle. When the compass is mounted? so that it' is parallel to said line it may be adjusted to give an accurate heading for the vehicle. Such adjustments are made as follows:

The vehicle with all doors closed is headed due west or due east, preferably the former, and bolt i8 is rotated in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, according to the direction of compass deviation from the known heading of the vehicle, until the compass reading correctly indicates the known direction. This compensation of compass i0 is accomplished in well known manner by adjustment of magnets l1 and will not be discussed in detail.

The vehicle is then headed due north or due south, preferably north, and the compass I0 is bodily rotated with respect to band 40 and lubbers marks 45, in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction as may be necessary, until the compass reading is correct in this direction. Screw 43 is then tightened and compass I0 is locked against further bodily movement.

The vehicle is then headed in the first direction, west as described, and bolt iii if necessary, is rotated as previously described until the compass reading is again correct on the west heading of the vehicle. The compass, after this last compensating adjustment is made, is compensated on the four principal compass points and is located in parallel relation to the line of travel of the vehicle.

It will, accordingly, be clear that an extremely simple yet accurate means is provided for mountinga magnetic compass in or on a vehicle in parallel relation to the vehicle's line of travel irrespective of the position in which the bracket is mounted, and that extremely simple operations will compensate the compass for deviations due to local magnetic flelds and conditions.

The invention may be embodied in other speciflc forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced rection indicating means rotatably mounted in said casing for movement under the influence of the earths magnetic fleld, adjustable magnetic means in said casing compensating for local magnetic influences causing deviation of said means,

a bracket for mounting said compass, and a ring bearing a lubbers mark mounted on said bracket and secured against azimuthal adjustment, said ring encircling said casing in a manner permitting gripping of the casing to rotatably shift it in said ring, whereby said casing may be readily bodily adjusted in effecting azimuthal adjustment of said compass.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said ring is split and means for selectively causing said ring to tightly grip said casing and retain it in adjusted relation with respect to the lubbers mark after compensation has beeneflected.

3. A magnetic compass comprising a casing having a transparent portion, direction indicating means buoyantly and rotatably supported in 4 20 supporting said compass, a socket carried by said spect to said lubbers mark. 20

l 30 turning the compass. of the casing only for supporting said casing for so 35 ly mounted in said ring, clamping means at the 11. A magnetic compass, comprising a bracket, 35

for eliminating local magnetic influences acting 8. A magnetic compass, comprising a casing, to cause a deviation of said means, an annulus compensating mechanism mounted in a'chamber for rotatably receiving said casing, a lubber's in said casing, a bowl containing liquid dependmarkformed on said annulus for coaction with ing from said casing, a flexible diaphragm 5 said direction indicating means, said casing exclamped between said casing and; said bowl and 5 tending outside of said annulus to permit graspforming a wall separating the casing chamber ing said casing to eii'ect relative rotation of said from the bowl chamber and sealing S id p casing with respect to said annulus and lubber's sating mechanism in said casing chamber, a magmark in adjusting said compass for azimuthal de-, net controlled buoyant float in said bowl havviation. Y ing direction indicia, and a pivot for said float 10 4. The combination defined in claim 3 includdepending from said diaphragm. ing a bracket adapted to mount said casing and 9. In a magnetic compass assembly, a bracket said annulus on a supporting structure, and a for said compas n nn f r receiving i universal connection between said bracket and compass attached to said bracket and thereby not said annulus permitting proper alignment of a subject to azimuthal adjustment, a lubbers mark 15 said compass and i'or leveling said compass. carried by said annulus, said annulus and said 5. A mounting and compensating mechanism compass being associated so as to expose the for a magnetic compass comprising a bracket, a indicia of said compass and so as to permit bodily ball shaped member on said bracket, a ring for rotation of said compass in said annulus with rering and receiving said ball member whereby said a 10. A magnetic compass, comprising a casing ring is connected to said bracket by a universal including an opaque portion and a transparent connection.'permitting proper levelling of said bowl, magnet-controlled direction -indicating compass, and a lubbers mark on said ring, said means in said casing and visible through said compass being supported by and within said ring bowl, compensating magnets adjustably mounted 25 to permit bodily rotation of said compass'with insaid-opaque portion of said casing, a ring bearrespect to said lubbers mark. whereby certain ing a lubber's mark thereon for coaction with deviations of said compass readings due to local said direction-indicating means, 'said ring exmagnetic conditions may be readily corrected by tending circumferentially around the midportion 6; A magnetic compass, including a bracket rotation about the axis of rotation 01 said indicatcarrying a ball, a split ring having spaced arms ing means and with respect to said lubbers mark,

L adjacent its free ends provided with sockets re- A a bracket, and means to attach said ring to said ceiving said ball, compass-mechanism ,rotativebracket. I

free ends of said arms for drawing said arms toa ring bearing a lubber's mark, a casing rotatably gether to secure said ring'i'rom movement with mounted in said ring and extending above and respect tosaid baIL'and separate clamping means below said ring to permit grasping said casing to at the ends of said arms adjacent the ends of effect azimuthal adjustment of said compass by 40 :said ring for contacting 'said ring to secure said rotating said casing within and with "respect to compass mechanismdrom rotation in said ring. said ring and said lubbers mark, direction indi- 7. Amagnetic' compass, comprising abowl concating means and compensating magnets in said taining liquid, a magnet controlled buoyant float casing, a connection between said bracket and bearing direction indicia immersed in said liquid, ring including a universal joint permitting propa flexible imperiorate diaphragm above 'said liqer levelling of said compass, mechanism to fix 45 uid, a pivot for said iioat carried by said diasaid ring with respect to said bracket and mech- I phragm, and a casing having compensating anism to fix said casing after azimuthal adjustmechariism therein, said diaphragm being ment with respect to said ring. clamped, between said bowl and said casing whereby saidiiquid issealed from said mecha- MAXIMILIAN KLEIN.

nism by said diaphragm. BERNHARD WILLACH. 

